Dark Stranger Revealed (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Series Book 2)

by I. T. Lucas

  “He didn’t hurt me. I had like two seconds of panic when he flashed those monstrous fangs of his, but after that, well… it was amazing… It’s just that I’m kind of shell-shocked. All of this is a lot to wrap my mind around—to absorb. I need time to think it through—formulate my questions… And speaking of questions; you didn’t answer me about the bite marks.” For some reason, talking about it helped Syssi get some perspective and organize it in her head, and she felt some of the turmoil inside her subside.

  “He told you about the venom, right?” When Syssi nodded, Amanda continued. “Females don’t have any. Our small, wee fangs, if you can even call them that, are for decoration only. They don’t elongate like the males’ do either. I guess it’s like the difference between a penis and a clitoris.” Amanda snorted. “I bite because I like it and it feels good, not because it can do anything interesting, like activate a Dormant or incapacitate an opponent. Without the venom, it takes longer for the marks to heal… on mortals anyway. An immortal male’s body would have healed those in no time, and maybe it’s a big turn-on for them. Who knows? I never had one.” Amanda looked down at her hands.

  “You never had a lover of your own kind?”

  “I don’t know any immortal men that I’m not related to. So only plain mortals for me. Yay!” Amanda looked up at Syssi with sad eyes.

  That’s right, Kian had said that they couldn’t mate with members of the same matrilineal descent.

  Suddenly, the full weight of their plight dawned on her. The lonely existence they were doomed to endure. Being confined to mortal lovers, they had no chance of having lifelong partners, spending their extremely long existence alone.

  How sad…

  “Have you ever fallen in love? With a mortal?” Syssi probed.

  “No, I hardly ever have sex with the same guy twice. None of us do. Even for an idiot, it wouldn’t take long to figure out something is not kosher. Eventually, someone that you’re close to is bound to notice that you never get sick, heal in seconds from accidental cuts and nicks, that you’re stronger and faster than normal and your senses are sharper. The males have it even worse; kind of hard to explain the fangs away. And there is the addiction factor. Did Kian share that little morsel with you?”

  “He did.” Syssi grimaced.

  “It’s funny, but we forgot all about it. Mother told Kian a long time ago, but as it wasn’t relevant to our situation, one-night stands and all, he forgot. He was reminded because of you.”

  Syssi rubbed at her chest, the subject sharpening the knives’ barely dulled edge and bringing back the pain. “Yeah, not very convenient for a fling… Still, I bet your ancestors had very stable marriages—being forced to be faithful to each other like that.”

  “Not necessarily, we are a lustful race, as you’re surely aware of by now. The way our mother explained it to Kian, mated couples that didn’t want to limit themselves were having sex with other partners from the get-go, mixing up the different venoms to prevent being addicted to a particular one. More so in the upper class, where most marriages were arranged and not the result of any great love. Besides, sleeping around was not frowned on. It was an acceptable behavior for both males and females. What do you think the myths of the gods frolicking with one another and with mortals are based on? That’s the way they really were.”

  “So what’s the point of having this system if it’s so easily circumvented?”

  “Kian and I talked about it. We guess, but it’s speculation only, that our race was genetically manipulated to have the peculiar traits we have. The scientist responsible for it might have been a romantic at heart, or loved an unfaithful mate. Who knows?” Amanda smiled. “Kian thinks he was a deranged lunatic, but I think it was sweet. Imagine falling in love, getting married, and during the honeymoon—when everything is still wonderfully exciting and love is fresh—an addiction forms. Voila! Lifelong fidelity. No nasty surprises, no divorces… and an amazing sex life to boot. It could have been a wonderful thing for a true love mating.”

  “Ha! What if after the honeymoon period—as you call it—they started to annoy each other so much that they grew to hate one another but were stuck together because of the addiction? What then?” Syssi crossed her arms over her chest and switched to sitting with her legs crossed at the knee.

  “Well, if it got so bad that they were willing to suffer through withdrawal and abstain from sex for a few months, then they could’ve gone their separate ways. But it gave them one hell of an incentive to just get along.” Amanda laughed, giving Syssi a quick hug.

  “I don’t know… Relationships are complicated, people are complicated; feelings change, people change, shit happens… You cannot hope to solve all possible problems with good sex.” Syssi thought her situation with Kian was a perfect example of that.

  Amanda’s face turned serious. “Look, I don’t know what exactly Kian told you, or how he presented it. I know he can be overbearing and insensitive, and expressing his feelings is not something he is good at. Not much of a diplomat, my brother. That’s why we have someone else to do the smooth talking for him at business negotiations. But his intentions are good. He hardly ever thinks about what’s good for himself. His life is all about the survival of our clan and ensuring that our work continues to help humanity thrive and evolve. It’s such a huge burden to carry. You have no idea how much I admire and respect both Kian and Sari for shouldering that huge responsibility. And how grateful I am for being spared from having to shoulder it myself. I don’t think I could’ve done it.”

  “Your work is important too. You’re trying to find compatible mates for your family. I’m sure they appreciate it, especially if you actually succeed.” Syssi sensed that Amanda felt overshadowed by her older siblings and wasn’t used to getting praise.

  “Yeah, after two centuries of being a selfish party girl, I’m finally trying to make a contribution…”

  Yep, Amanda definitely wasn’t used to praise… And she was two hundred years old? Wow!

  “So, does that mean you don’t party anymore?” Syssi asked, thinking Amanda partied plenty.

  “Of course I do, silly. I just put some work in as well.”

  CHAPTER 46: KIAN

  Kian stared at the small box sitting on his desk, fighting the urge to grab it and use it as an excuse to go see Syssi.

  Almost an hour had passed since she left for Amanda’s, and during all that time he kept churning over their conversation in his mind, ignoring the paperwork stacked on his desk.

  All along, he had been afraid that once she realized what was in store for her, she would react exactly the way she had. Grow cold and distant and push him away.

  But then again, he couldn’t really blame her, could he.

  It was exactly as she had said. He was a jerk. He had lied to her, hadn’t asked her if she wanted to be changed, and in the end, he would be forced to send her away.

  And that wasn’t even the worst of it. The truth was, he hadn’t been thinking about changing her when he had sunk his fangs into her lovely neck. During those intense moments, he had thought of nothing but the sex.

  It had been all about his need and his craving…

  He wondered what Syssi would’ve thought of him if she had known that the supposedly noble intentions he’d been fronting were nothing but a cover for him being a beast. Or that the little speech about letting her choose whoever she wanted had been total crap.

  In fact, even though he’d lied through his teeth about giving her a choice, the mere act of verbalizing the lie had him almost pop a vein. He had a feeling he would not hesitate to annihilate any male who would dare try to take her away from him.

  Family not excluded.

  Snatching the box with Syssi’s new phone, Kian pushed out of his swivel chair, shoving it so hard that the thing hit the bookcase behind him and rolled sideways as it bounced off.

  In several determined strides, he crossed the short distance between the apartments, but then as he stood in front o
f Amanda’s door, he hesitated.

  Given the laughter percolating from the other side, it sounded as if Syssi and Amanda were having a good time, and he wondered if he hadn’t blown things out of proportion.

  Well, there was only one way to find out, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to do it by standing outside and eavesdropping like a coward.

  He rapped on the door and walked in without waiting for an invitation. “I brought you your new phone as soon as it was delivered,” he said, smiling at the domestic scene of Syssi and his sister sharing a couch in their oversized T-shirts. “You can call anyone you want and give them your new phone number. The phone uses our own satellite, and the line is untraceable and secure.”

  With a quick look at Amanda, he searched his sister’s expression for a clue as to Syssi’s mood. But her impassive face gave nothing away.

  “Thank you, I was feeling lost without a phone.” Syssi took the white box and tore at the wrapping, eager to get to her new toy.

  Using her momentary distraction, Kian looked at Amanda again, this time gesticulating his question.

  “Jury still out,” she mouthed, shrugging her shoulders, then made a shooing motion urging him to leave.

  “I’d better go. See you later, ladies.” He excused himself but remained glued to his spot, waiting for Syssi to look up; hoping she’d smile at him or, at least glance his way. But to his chagrin, her head remained bowed over the phone’s instructions as if he wasn’t even there.

  Swallowing a bitter sense of disappointment, he said, “Goodbye then,” and beat feet to the door.

  “Goodbye,” Syssi called after him.

  He whipped around, hoping to catch her looking his way. But she didn’t—killing his small spark of hope.

  Standing outside Amanda’s apartment, Kian ran his hands through his hair and sighed. It would be a waste of time to go back to the office. He was too agitated to be able to concentrate on anything.

  Instead, he took the elevator down to the basement.

  At the gym, Kian found Brundar and Michael training, with Kri watching them from the sidelines. It seemed Michael’s training session had been going on for a while. The kid was tired and frustrated. Not that Kian could blame him, Brundar had Michael practicing the same three moves over and over again.

  Detect, block, deflect… detect, block, deflect.

  “Again!” Brundar ordered and launched another mock knife attack. With a rubber stick in each hand, he kept slashing relentlessly at Michael, cutting through his ineffective defense and hitting him time and again.

  Bundled as he was in protective suiting, Michael no doubt felt the blows, but besides his ego, he wasn’t really getting hurt. Nonetheless, he was sweaty and exhausted and looked ready to call it quits.

  Except, Kri was watching him from her spot next to the punching bag. Jabbing perfunctorily at it, she seemed more interested in Michael’s training session than her own. And given the quick glances he was sneaking her way, it was obvious that as long as she kept watching him, the kid would keep pushing until he dropped.

  Kian smirked, turning away quickly before Kri caught him observing her, then went back to watching Michael.

  The kid was inexperienced and somewhat clumsy, but Kian had to admit that there was raw potential there. What he lacked in endurance and discipline, he made up in brute strength and youthful enthusiasm.

  Brundar was driving him hard, but then again, no one got good by watching how it’s done from the couch. At his current level of skill, Michael wouldn’t stand a chance against a trained opponent, and the sooner he got the basics, the sooner he’d be able to defend himself.

  “Okay, kid, take a break. You did well.” Brundar clapped Michael’s shoulder.

  “Thanks. But when are we going to move to something else?”

  “When those moves become second nature, when no matter when, or from what angle, I come at you—you’ll execute them perfectly. Then… we can move on, and not before.” Brundar walked over to the fridge and took out a water bottle.

  Kri abandoned her post next to the boxing bag and sauntered to stand next to Michael. “You better listen to him. Brundar is our weapons master and there is no one in the world that’s better. Consider yourself lucky he is training you.” She patted his cheek, but the pat sounded more like a slap.

  “Yeah, I feel very lucky…” Michael groaned, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel. “Any luckier, and I’ll be dead… He is killing me!”

  “Wuss.” Kri snorted. “He is teaching you how to stay alive. And just between you and me…” She leaned to whisper in his ear conspiratorially, “I’m surprised he volunteered to train you. He is not exactly the friendly, giving type if you catch my drift. And he only trains experienced fighters. Taking on a newbie… Damn! He must really believe in you.” She punched Michael’s shoulder. “Go get yourself some water. It’s important to stay hydrated during training.” She smiled and sauntered away, swaying her hips.

  Kian rubbed his hand over his chin. There was definitely something going on between Kri and Michael.

  Good, it was about time for her to shed the immature fascination she had with him and move toward something more appropriate. For Kri’s sake, as much as for the good of the clan, Kian hoped Michael would turn.

  Which raised the issue of choosing an initiator for the boy. The honor of accepting the role carried with it some serious responsibility. The male Michael would challenge to a fight would not only be the one to induce his transformation but also assume the role of a lifelong honorary big brother.

  The coming of age ceremony usually involved two boys: a thirteen-year-old Dormant and a transitioned boy—if possible no more than a year or two older. The friendship encouraged by the ritual benefited both boys, as it created between them a brotherly bond similar to the one between real brothers.

  Siblings were a rarity in their community, and even if one was lucky enough to have a brother, chances were that they were separated by hundreds of years in age. Having an adopted one, certainly beat growing up alone.

  Kian walked over to the center of the gym and stood on top of the rubber mats delineating the wrestling area. “Listen up. I want you all in the small conference room in half an hour. Go shower and change. We’ll be choosing Michael’s initiator.”

  “What? Now? I’m completely beat!”

  “At least you got a good warm-up.” Kian clapped Michael’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve got about an hour to recuperate, and then you only need to provide some kind of a challenge. No one is expecting you to remain standing for more than a couple of minutes. You’ll be fine.”

  “In that case, I’d better hurry and shower… Phew!” Michael grimaced as he began stripping off his protective suiting and smelled the nasty coming out of it. “I would rather not show up for my own ceremony smelling like dirty socks.”

  Later, once everyone made it to the conference room, Kian stood at the head of the table and motioned for Okidu to serve the ceremonial wine.

  “I’ll have to change the traditional wording a little to allow for Michael’s age, so don’t try to correct me when I cut out the whole thing about a boy becoming a man.” Kian nodded at Michael.

  Looking nervous and excited, the kid stood at the other end of the table, presenting himself to the assembled group as required by custom.

  Kian cleared his throat. “We are gathered here to present this fine young man to his elders. Michael is ready to attempt his transformation. Vouching for him are Guardian Yamanu and Guardian Arwel. Who volunteers to take on the burden of initiating Michael into his immortality?”

  “I do.” Yamanu stood up.

  Kian nodded his approval.

  “Michael, do you accept Guardian Yamanu as your initiator? As your mentor and protector, to honor him with your friendship, your respect, and your loyalty from now on?”

  Michael had sneaked a quick glance at Kri before he answered. “I do.”

  The ritual demanded that Kian, as
the leader of this group, verify that everyone agreed it was a good pairing—regardless of it being unnecessary in this case. “Does anyone have any objections to Michael becoming Yamanu’s protégé?” When no one did, Kian raised his wine glass. “As everyone here agrees it’s a good match, let’s seal it with a toast. To Michael and Yamanu.”

  Once the Guardians were done with the cheers, Yamanu pulled Michael into a crushing bear hug. “Always wanted me a little brother.” He rubbed his knuckles against Michael’s skull.

  “Ouch! And I always wanted a big brother, but now I’m not so sure.” Michael laughed and twisted free from Yamanu, only to get caught by Kri.

  Now, that hug he didn’t seem to mind at all. And as he lifted her off the ground and twirled her around, the mighty Kri squeaked a very girly squeak.

  As he held her plastered against him, it might have been the squeak or the Guardian’s brouhaha, or maybe both that had given Michael the courage to plant a sloppy kiss smack on her lips.

  Kri, on the other hand, didn’t need any encouragement, and not being shy by any stretch of the imagination, kissed him back for all he was worth without the slightest regard for her cheering comrades.

  Kian felt his face stretch into a wide grin.

  Like a proud father, he was glad to see his people excited and happy. It had been a long time since anything new and exciting had happened in their stronghold.

  It was about bloody time.

  CHAPTER 47: SYSSI

  “I’m in a mood for a run, and as you guys will not let me out…” Syssi cast a look askance at Amanda “…do you have a treadmill I could use?”

  “Do we have a treadmill? We have the mother of all gyms down in the basement. Go get changed. We’ll go together and I’ll give you a tour.”

  “Good… By the way, when are we going to do some work? Not that I mind lazing around all day, but I do need to earn my keep.”